Head of F,A&R

\n Interim Head of F, A & R (Forecasting, Allocation & Replenishment)\n

Contract: 12-18 months (will consider full or part-time)

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IR35: Outside IR35

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Start: ASAP

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Location: London, UK. Hybrid.

Context & Role\n

Our client is implementing a next-generation, AI/ML-enabled forecasting, allocation and replenishment capability and is looking for an interim Head of F, A & R to provide senior functional leadership through phase 1 of delivery.

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This is a hands-on operational role. The individual will act as the functional lead for the programme, helping shape how the capability should operate, guiding key decisions through design/build/test/pilot, and ensuring outputs are commercially and operationally viable.

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There is potential for the role to convert to a permanent Head of F, A & R post-pilot.

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Ad hoc travel within the UK will be required.

Key Responsibilities\n

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• Act as the senior business lead for F, A & R during the pilot
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• Help shape the future operating model, governance, and ways of working
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• Provide oversight of forecasting and replenishment outputs
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• Guide exception/override philosophy and decision-making
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• Work closely with vendor and programme teams on solution behaviour and configuration
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• Ensure outputs align with real-world retail operations (stores, depots, constraints)
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• Bring judgement to key trade-offs (e.g. availability vs. stock)
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• Capture pilot learnings and inform rollout direction
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Profile Required\n

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• Former Head/Director level in F & R, Replenishment, Stock Optimisation, or similar
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• Experience in a high-volume, multi-site retailer
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• Strong understanding of store-level forecasting, allocation, and replenishment
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• Experience with modern planning tools (e.g. RELEX, BlueYonder, o9, ToolsGroup)
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• Able to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels
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• Credible senior operator
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Typical backgrounds include\n

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• UK grocery: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons
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• General merchandise: M&S, Next, John Lewis, Argos
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• (Selective) vendor experience: RELEX, BlueYonder, o9 — where combined with strong retail exposure
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Screening Focus\n

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• Has owned F, A & R / DC to store replenishment in a retail environment
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• Experience shaping or implementing store ordering capabilities
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• Comfortable bridging system outputs and commercial reality
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• Strong grasp of retail operational constraints
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• Able to work across business and technology teams
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If this sounds like the role for your, please apply via the link.

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